I'm planning a family trip this summer and my wife was kind of intrigued by the Lady Chain starting at EP 37 (shuttle from Sawbill).

I've been on several trips, but this would be a first for my wife and daughters (10 & 8). Trying for mid June to early July. Kids have done a fair amount of hiking.

We would plan on 5 days/4 nights with a layover on Phoebe. I normally pack pretty light and single portage, but don't believe that's realistic on this trip. Maybe portage and half.

Just wondering if this seems like a reasonable trip. The first two days would be the highest mileage (6-7 and then another 7-8).

Also wondering if anyone has done the Cherokee loop out of Sawbill with kids.

Thanks

This is a great trip for the guys and me. Too much for my family. I've done some of this route on a guy's trip. If you think your family is up to it, it is a great area.

quote Jonesy: "I'm planning a family trip this summer and my wife was kind of intrigued by the Lady Chain starting at EP 37 (shuttle from Sawbill).

I've been on several trips, but this would be a first for my wife and daughters (10 & 8). Trying for mid June to early July. Kids have done a fair amount of hiking.

We would plan on 5 days/4 nights with a layover on Phoebe. I normally pack pretty light and single portage, but don't believe that's realistic on this trip. Maybe portage and half.

Just wondering if this seems like a reasonable trip. The first two days would be the highest mileage (6-7 and then another 7-8).

Also wondering if anyone has done the Cherokee loop out of Sawbill with kids.

Thanks"

We did the Sawbill to Cherokee up-and-back route last 4th of July. It was a stuff go for my kids (10&12) and my wife only due to the late start we had pushing off from Sawbill. The 2nd and 3rd portages can be a bit rugged for a family trip -- that 2nd one climbs up over some granite ledge but the rest of it is more or less slight-gradient on the way to Ada Lake. The 3rd portage is what I call "the low-water creek portage" that leads to Skoop L. (before you hit the 180-rod portage to Cherokee). We lined the canoe (kids in boat) part of the way to avoid portaging through tall reeds & bog but then had to unload everyone and everything to get to the actual takeout about 10 or 15 rods away.

It was mostly just a long, long afternoon with exhaustion setting in before we hit that last 180 rod trail to Cherokee creek. If you do it, I'd advise an earlier start than our noon push-off from the dock on Sawbill, frequent breaks on the way, and hip boots for that last portage or be prepared to get very wet (A portage does skirt this swamp, about 100 rods of it).

Cherokee is well-worth the effort and I suppose it also depends on the enthusiasm of your group as you go up there!

I've never been on the lady chain so I'm not much help as to the conditions of that route.

As far as the kids portaging, if they've done some back packing I think you'll be fine. I know the portages from Moose to Knife are no killers but when we took our 3 and 4 year old boys the portaging was one of their favorite parts. They carry what little bit they can in a regular backpack and walk the trail once with my wife following behind just to keep them on track. By time I've made 2 trips they make their 1 and have a few minutes to grab a drink, granola bar and explore a little.

I know a lot of people are nervous about taking their kids to the BW but if they're excited about going and are into it, they make the whole trip worth it. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the replies, that's what I'm looking for.

Anyone have thoughts on these:

What about a short loop through Homer and back out Brule?

May still do a Sawbill entry, but go either west to Phoebe and stay a few nights, or head through the fire lakes and up the Temperance river. I'm guessing Phoebe would get less traffic.

Also may just head north out of Kawishiwi and see how far we get.

Any other shortish loops on the east side?

Thanks tons!

Homer to Brule, just make sure there's plenty of water. I've tried to find my way up to Brule from there, to have to turn around due to mud flats and no progress (late Sept). Then if there's water, remember that Brule can kick up some waves. Can't recall if there's shelter based on where you hit it - I think it's pretty open.

Have gone back into Pipe with kids and without... not a particularly scenic route, but often empty in my experience.
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Kawishiwi - remember much is burned. Used to be a nice trip to Banadad or Square, those are both fully burned. Kawasachong also mostly burned. But as you get there you will weave in and out of the burn area, which was kinda cool for kids. Kawishiwi itself is not bad to camp on, and you can push through to Polly which isn't burned and is a pretty lake. Not sure of an EASY loop from there, but nothing wrong with paddling back out the way you came in - we often go up one side of Kawishiwi lake and come back out the other side... makes it FEEL like a loop, ha.

We looked over maps and changed plans, plus our entry dates got more flexible.

Saw some permits for EP47 Lizz for July 5, so that's what we're doing. I've seen several comments from people about this being a good family trip area. I think the plan is for a couple nights on Horseshoe and a couple nights on Vista or maybe Gaskin.

Got a bunkhouse reserved at Rockwood, now just need to get the canoe nailed down.

Jonesy

Awesome! I love that area. Also, Mike and Lin are great people and will take good care of you. We've used their bunkhouse several times and love the convenience of being able to push off right from their beach early in the morning. Horseshoe is a great lake and gives you a great chance of seeing moose. Especially if you can get campsite #675 as it's labeled on the map for this website. It's at the start of the arm of Horseshoe that leads to Vista. Lin from Rockwood calls it the moose highway. 2 years ago we didn't get that campsite but watched moose in that area for hours. Mike said that every customer that stayed at that site that year saw the moose. The hammock in this picture is at that campsite and the area of lake past it is where the moose hang out. Have a great trip!